VIENNA.- The upcoming major auction week at Dorotheum Vienna, which will be held between 21st and 24th November 2017, places a special emphasis on contemporary art and classic modernism.

PIONEERS OF MODERNISM
Modern art auction, 21st November 2017
Egon Schiele is considered the most significant as well as the most radical draughtsman of the 20th century. Anticipating the 100th anniversary of his death, the upcoming Dorotheum auction of modern art on 21st November 2017 presents two drawings by this famous pioneer of modernism: the "Reclining Woman" of 1917 demonstrates Schiele’s refined play of lines and subtile foreshortenings. This excellent drawing, which spent the past 85 years in a private collection, provides a perfect example of the manner in which Schiele elevates the drawing from its tradition as a study to the level of an autonomous work of art (€ 700,000 – 1,200,000). The "Portrait of a Woman" from the same private collection (€ 200,000 – 300,000) was created only a few months before Schiele's early death at the age of 28.

The Munich Lenbachhaus is dedicating a special exhibition to the work of Gabriele Münter. Dorotheum will auction "View of the Mountain Range" (200,000 - 250,000 Euro) by the renowned artist, who this year would have celebrated her 140th birthday.

Additional highlights of this auction include a “View of Kitzbühel” by Alfons Walde (€ 220,000 – 320,000), as well as works by Emil Filla.

DINOSAUR-EGG AND LIGHT-FAN
Contemporary art auction, 22nd November 2017
A giant dinosaur egg is the centrepiece of a 1996 painting by Martin Kippenberger and is one of the top lots in the upcoming contemporary art auction on 22nd November 2017. In Kippenberger's œuvre the egg, with all its bodily, sexual, and mythological implications has always been a crucial theme, so much so that an entire exhibition at the Museum Abteiberg Mönchengladbach titled “Der Eiermann und seine Ausleger“ was dedicated to this subject. This depiction of a prehistoric monster in its prenatal state, based on an image published in the National Geographic magazine, may be read as a layered self-portrait of the artist himself, who was already suffering from serious illness at the time of its creation (€ 250,000 – 350,000).

Light is one of the defining elements in the works of ZERO-artist Heinz Mack, who transforms it into unique kinetic objects. Estimated at 200,000 to 300,000 Euros, the "Light fan in space" dated to 1965 produces a subtle interplay between the fine and flexible metal mesh and the reflections of the light. Depending on the viewer's position, the surface scintillates in various different ways.

Maria Lassnig, the grande dame of contemporary Austrian painting contributes two large-format works, “Innerhalb und Außerhalb der Leinwand I und II“ (Inside and outside the canvas, each € 180,000 –320,000). Also on sale will be one of Franz West’s sculptures (€ 120,000 – 220,000), and Georg Baselitz’s ”Kleinen Feuer“ from 2003 (€ 180,000 – 250,000).

Illustrating fantastic abstractions that are both cheerful and disturbing, Asger Jorn's oil painting “Brokit brak-Patchy quarrel“ of 1964 (€ 150,000 – 200,000 Euro) is just one example of the work of the CoBrA group of artists which will be included in this auction. In the words of Dorotheum specialist Alessandro Rizzi, it is a powerful work "where broad, precise brush strokes, scintillating contrasts, and an almost aggressive intensity contribute to an atmosphere that is both dreamlike as well as "child-like".

In what has become a fine tradition, the auction also scores with the exceptional work of the Italian avant-garde of the 1960s, represented by Lucio Fontana, Rodolfo Aricò, Agostino Bonalumi and Enrico Castellani to name just a few. The blue “Zone riflesse“ by Paolo Scheggi 1964 (€ 280,000 – 360,000) promises to be a particular highlight.

BULGARI, ROLEX & CO
Jewellery and watch auction, 23rd and 24th November 2017
Jewellery and watches by exclusive firms characterise the auction selection on 23rd and 24th November 2017, with sparkling jewellery by Bulgari and other renowned brands, as well as watches by Rolex, Patek Philippe, Omega, Tag Heuer, Cartier, and A. Lange & Sons.